Check out these strategies to maintain your pet calm during fireworks.
Is your pet scared of loud noises, especially fireworks? Don’t wait until the holiday hits, US Independence Day. You can create a plan to be proactive now to assist your pet in being a bit less afraid of the unpredictable, scary noises of fireworks and other sounds. Check out these strategies to maintain your pet calm during fireworks.
Check with Your Veterinarian Regarding Medications
Talk to your veterinarian if your dog gets anxious about noises if you have never discussed it before. He or she might be able to provide a prescription. And if you can’t visit before the holiday, call your vet as soon as possible. Unfortunately, this is a long-term problem since sound phobias tend to worsen and are not something to be taken lightly.
Perform Counterconditioning with Sounds
Get some pet treats and start carrying them around your home. Also, provide treats to your dog whenever there is any sudden or startling noise. Remember only to use those treats for noises. This is sometimes considered ad-hoc counterconditioning – using environmental noises to train and maintain your pet calm during fireworks.
Make a Safe Place for Your Pet
Create a safe place for your dog and make it comfortable for her or him. However, the flashes of light that come with significant fireworks displays can scare them too. So, consider darkening any windows nearby or cover the safe place with a cover if necessary. Additionally, be aware that you are unable to mute the low-frequency sounds of thunder or fireworks with the amount of absorbent material you use at home. But being underground can typically help, including basements for some dogs.
Experiment with Sound Masking
Another way to maintain your pet calm during fireworks is to experiment with sound masking or music to determine the most helpful for your situation. This can include natural noise, recorded white noise, or music to disguise the pops and booms. Here’s a tip: the lower the frequencies the masking or music has, the better it can mask those low-pitched booms.
Comfort Your Dog
Analyze what’s most helpful to your pet: food after every thunderclap, a cuddle, sweet talk, some lap time, or hiding alone in a secluded place. Then help your dog do it because helping a pet through a tough time is not “coddling.”
Support Your Pet’s Wellness at Alexander Animal Hospital
Alexander Animal Hospital is a full-service animal hospital located in Severna Park, Maryland, serving the Severna Park, Pasadena, and Arnold Areas. Our goal is educating clients on the needs of their pets and understanding the importance of individualized veterinary care in order to strengthen the human-animal bond between owners and their pets.
We understand you have a choice when deciding on the care for your pets, and we strive to provide you with unparalleled services including wellness exams, vaccines, lost pet microchip ID, dental care, surgical services, digital radiography, and in-hospital laboratory services and diagnostics. Other highlights of Alexander Animal Hospital are the separate cat and dog waiting and exam rooms, as well as after-hours on-call emergency services.
Please take a look around our website and then give us a call at 410-777-8678 to set up an appointment. We’re social! Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest for all the latest updates!